Prevalence of daily or near daily aspirin use by US adults with diabetes: A cross-sectional study using a multi-year national database

Abstract

Introduction: For persons with diabetes, cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality that is reflected in a two-to- four times greater risk for both heart disease and stroke when compared to adults without diabetes. Although not without controversy, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) management guidelines in the US recommend the use of once-daily aspirin. This epidemiological study was undertaken to fill the knowledge gap regarding the prevalence of daily or near daily aspirin use for US age-appropriate adults with diabetes. Methods: Using bivariate and multivariate techniques, a cross-sectional analysis of an amalgamated database using 2005, 2007, and 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey data was performed. The dependent variable for this analysis was daily or near daily aspirin use. The population of interest was US adults, men >= 45 - 79 and women >= 55 - 79 years of age. Results: Overall the prevalence of daily or near daily aspirin use by age-appropriate US adults with diabetes was 62.5%; it was 41.0% for similar non-diabetic adults. Logistic regression analysis yielded that age-appropriate adults, of both genders, with diabetes taking daily or near daily aspirin were more likely to be: physically active, male, live in rural locales, not have a health care provider, have deferred medical care because of cost, have an elevated BMI, a smoker, and have hypertension. Conclusion: It was determined that the age-appropriate use of aspirin in the US adult population with diabetes is underutilized. The role of the pharmacist through- out the continuum of care is one way to improve appropriate aspirin use in patients with diabetes.